[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6429169,"mediaKeyId","5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4","parentId",5906894,"title","Wasco Recreation and Park District details park upgrades, Annan Park funding hurdle and coalition proposal","audioSeconds",43,"startMs",1947000,"endMs",1904000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4&start=1947&end=1904","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4/thumbnail_1947000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6429169/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Wasco-Recreation-and-Park-District-details-park-upgrades-Annan-Park-funding-hurdle-and-coalition-proposal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429169-b0587d9b721a2736ef448d972e05ff53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151533&Signature=KQ3wnI2KujJPyexbwUkynOH5BHK25cENJjB1rCJpGNPN6npIaEc8nr3gKc3fG8BYxXv5hPUlu-vEJeRlkYoNHKcgE5IsYFiRB55j5TZpTxLUEtVnvJdvY2UlmptDU1BNUhpiLW2~P-htR67mse0I9QRq7oTnTJu4nciFU42r4c8t4zG~eS1W5XCQRkFkLlxm6H8BspWem4-cc6VRdub1Z2MT~gScxMrWGl2EF2mW4JLxE3oEiHv-r35QYDFN2jpRHbBeUlQjkH2KLh21lVhy~EZ3bo7NKKnfh-ZK7PwlX~1yUJo3NDyyZ-KjG6LYr6Nf6Xcu3HYQCncekInzb6Lw5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wasco","date","2025-10-07T00:00:00Z","article","Wasco Recreation and Park District staff updated the City Council on completed and planned park improvements, funding sources and timeline constraints for two larger park projects — Cormac Park and Annan Park — and urged continued interagency cooperation to secure land and grant matches.

Chris (Wasco Recreation and Park District staff) and consultant Monya Jamieson described parks where Measure X funds were spent and projects in design or grant review. The district said a council-approved $550,000 allocation from Measure X was included in the city's fiscal-year capital improvement program for general park improvements. District staff said new playground equipment and shade structures have been installed at Westside Park and Barker Park and that engineered wood-fiber surfacing was used. Staff reported a remaining Measure X balance of $125,312.04 earmarked for replacement of the community pool fence; that fence is scheduled for installation this fall.

Consultant Monya Jamieson told the council that the Cormac Park project previously needed scope reductions: \"The grant was $1,700,000; our estimate was $2,700,000 and so we had to cut a million dollars worth of projects out of the Cormac Park so that we could get it down to where we had the grant funds,\" she said. Jamieson said the state approved the district's scope-change request and construction documents are being finalized; bid documents will follow and \"it's probably gonna be several months before you see anything again, moving any moving dirt, anybody out there is probably anywhere between 2026 and 2026,\" she said, indicating construction activity is expected in the 2026 timeframe.

Annan Park is a separate, more complicated matter because it was partially funded by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Jamieson explained the complication: LWCF grants carry deed restrictions that prevent the funded site from being removed from park use without federal approval; staff asked whether the district could repay the federal funds to clear the restriction but said the state answered in July 2025 that repayment was not permitted. Instead, Jamieson said, the LWCF program requires a \"conversion\" process: the restriction gets transferred to replacement park property. That triggers a new series of approvals and the district must identify legally acceptable replacement parcels before an offer can be made. Jamieson said the conversion approval timeline can be lengthy — \"it could be 10 months before the conversion is approved\" — and staff cannot move to buy or offer on replacement land until they receive more definitive answers from the state.

District staff said they are pursuing multiple routes to finance a new park footprint and construction. Jamieson told the council the district is exploring state grant programs that could match 50 percent of project costs, as well as sponsorships from local employers and private partners. Several council members encouraged the district to pursue those options; one council member suggested reaching out to regional or statewide officials to support grant requests.

Jamieson and Chris proposed forming a \"coalition of the willing\" — an interagency memorandum of understanding among the city, school districts and the recreation district — to strengthen grant applications and create a shared vision for park development and maintenance. The coalition concept would also consider long-term maintenance funding mechanisms, including assessments that could generate revenue for park upkeep.

Council members broadly expressed support for the district's approach and for continued staff work to identify replacement property and match funding. Several council members thanked the district for the outreach and encouraged continued coordination.

Ending: The council received the informational update; no action was required. Staff said they will continue outreach and return with further updates on property identification, grant applications and project bid timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Wasco Recreation and Park District staff told the City Council that Measure X funding paid for new playgrounds and that larger projects at Cormac Park and Annan Park are moving forward under constrained timelines and federal grant restrictions.","taxTitle","Wasco City, Kern County, California","taxId",68639,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429170,"Wasco council approves routine items, grant ratification and a veto letter; several unanimous votes",237,3360000,3597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4&start=3360&end=3597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4/thumbnail_3360000.jpg","/articles/6429170/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Wasco-council-approves-routine-items-grant-ratification-and-a-veto-letter-several-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429170-fd74331cd87c6f09f5ae8197735c44cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151533&Signature=djjTmHMrGpW7bgYDlWaTpTK0Q8O07CfkqGjs16JvRN-VMu67NHo8XkINgd7Scj4i4ma6r1zwLdTcAZFR3D090qIXVnHGtbyJIzUkAVr07PDifgEALYexc8dRsZ6IqOokwSrgZDxzP2NfeNOw~769T9KVs4Ql74z-ERarvN2QFvMSS~WWsKeQtQodQSV4D2SCwZlMNauLg40Q5FIOsjal2eXjRG0pF0w9LpyWhDq2QAZcYO7EqsmK6Ig26U7-h8R8wyEI18SKlRX4v1CcldF2ebzjaHxuQcBKXrznhHSB4l12SadO2ZtfPjimaQqDKGQG1nZ2OvZRJ7JlLWRMcS32LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wasco City Council unanimously approved several routine and policy items during its meeting, including the closeout of a Community Development Block Grant-funded project, an amendment to the city pay schedule to add a transit lead position, ratification of a small community-outreach grant, and a letter asking the governor to veto SB 707.

In a public hearing on item 12(a) the council adopted a resolution to close out a Housing and Community Development (HCD) grant and acknowledge Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding as a primary funding source. City staff reported the CDBG contribution totaled just under $810,000 and said the funds helped rehabilitate the Police Activities League (PAL) building at 1276 (address as read in the staff presentation). The resolution passed on a roll-call vote with all members voting “aye.”

The council also adopted a resolution amending the fiscal year 2025–26 salary schedule to add a new classification, \"bus driver lead,\" intended to recognize additional duties for the transit department and provide scheduling backup. City Manager Hobert presented the item; the action passed unanimously.

Council members ratified a memorandum of understanding and resolution related to a 2026 community-based outreach mini-grant tied to the regional transportation plan and sustainable communities strategy. Staff said the grant award is $2,500 and will mainly cover staff time, food and materials to host a community workshop. The resolution to ratify the MOU was adopted unanimously.

Finally, the council approved a resolution directing staff to send a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting a veto of SB 707. City staff warned the measure would expand translation requirements for local governments and would allow community-produced translations to be posted without municipal authentication; council members voted unanimously to send the veto request.

Other routine business approved by the council included the agenda and the consent calendar. All roll-call votes recorded during the meeting were unanimous with each item passing by \"aye\" votes from Mayor Medina, Mayor Pro Tem Salania, Council Member Martinez, Council Member Raya and Council Member Reina.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of meeting agenda — Motion passed unanimously (mover: Council Member Martinez; second: Mayor Medina). Recorded as unanimous roll call.
- Approval of consent calendar (items 11–11h) — Motion passed unanimously.
- Item 12(a): Adopt resolution to close out HCD/CDBG grant and acknowledge CDBG funding (re: PAL building rehabilitation) — Motion by Council Member Reina; second by Mayor Medina; passed unanimously.
- Item 14(b): Adopt resolution amending FY 2025–26 salary schedule to add \"bus driver lead\" classification — Motion passed unanimously.
- Item 14(c): Adopt resolution ratifying MOU for 2026 community-based outreach mini-grant (grant amount $2,500) — Motion passed unanimously.
- Item 14(d): Adopt resolution to send veto letter to Governor regarding SB 707 — Motion by Council Member Reina; second by Mayor Pro Tem Salania; passed unanimously.

The meeting minutes and roll-call sheets attached to the city clerk's record list the formal roll-call vote for each action. The council did not record any \"no\" votes, abstentions or recusals for the items considered at this meeting.

Ending: The council concluded votes on these items and proceeded with the remainder of the agenda, including informational reports and a parks-district project update.","At its meeting the Wasco City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar and several resolutions including closeout of a CDBG-funded project, a new transit lead driver classification, ratification of a $2,500 community outreach mini-grant MOU and a letter asking Governor Newsom to veto SB 707.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429167,"Fire and police present monthly activity reports; Police Activities League enrollment grows after CDBG-funded rehab",100,934000,1034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4&start=934&end=1034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4/thumbnail_934000.jpg","/articles/6429167/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Fire-and-police-present-monthly-activity-reports-Police-Activities-League-enrollment-grows-after-CDBG-funded-rehab","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429167-5747e77fcd4716cfcc97496b9fe01e7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151533&Signature=adPPCSFPg1v6rXmk52tIkuxJuSGy8z5OVuCG59mrcLc~bMZWcDmA8kopBoyBF5vGrcQjs7zLBPaaNEd-bmsmC0vLslzJh8Fjmvl~hlstGr0udkax6en5k2Lkra-eaENWmaTE0SFfGdXTC5fJb74LZu1ky5cgEYQQZn4pq7-MPwAM7hiHG64lLcBkSzlsQBa65lbc0g-OdQ3qg6~kdGcNWTtfohU0bfdm6N1fJh-npvzzyO4tSOAW5aMoEIiDhIPVh~qt9QkTW2ZwMTZaVUnZLfOpeiZgGY2MwMYEtXRIyiw35gOGpnhMKO2n8AKh0NZfm5vbIejrhqvShhv~OpXsYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kern County Fire and Wasco Police Department staff presented routine public-safety reports to the council, including call volumes, arrests and program updates.

Kern County Fire Chief Albertson reported August activity for the Wasco area: 142 total calls for engine responses, 16 fires, 87 medical calls and the remainder categorized as other call types. Chief Albertson said the fall season will show whether call volumes continue at current levels.

Wasco Police Chief Mora reported September figures: 1,662 incidents, 988 calls for service and 674 officer-initiated activities. The department logged 85 arrests for the month, reported seven stolen vehicles and four recoveries, and conducted 402 traffic stops that produced 125 citations. The department also recorded 24 citizen contacts and said programs tied to youth engagement are active.

Chief Mora highlighted the Police Activities League (PAL) program. He said PAL currently has 84 students enrolled and averages about 35 attendees daily. The program recently began receiving full warm meals under a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club and USDA funding, which staff said began two days before the report. The PAL program occupies a rehabilitated facility the city reported was supported by Community Development Block Grant funding; staff noted the PAL building opened to the public in July and enrollment has increased since opening.

Council members thanked the chiefs and applauded the PAL program expansion and meal service. No action was taken; the reports were informational.

Ending: The council received the reports and had no further questions; staff will continue monthly reporting and program updates.","Kern County Fire and Wasco Police presented monthly activity statistics. Fire reported 142 engine calls in August; police reported 1,662 incidents in September, 85 arrests and growing enrollment at the Police Activities League, which now serves meals to youth under USDA funding following CDBG-funded rehabilitation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429168,"City staff: Kern County subbasin removed from probationary stance under SGMA after collaborative work",125,3737000,3862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4&start=3737&end=3862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906894-6621f7a401e4aa0ffbdd4a1fe16281d4/thumbnail_3737000.jpg","/articles/6429168/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/City-staff-Kern-County-subbasin-removed-from-probationary-stance-under-SGMA-after-collaborative-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429168-5bd38707cf72eea9daf555b9aeba613a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151533&Signature=EHjDVNXSjFRakStSp6wzXa1jZ-UgqxZ5FW2M5Asr--pdPgOEhtsV8XpuapzsEru2xTTTWLy5NhSKeXN1eEl5i~b5eHgwNgJzNvIossltG6tILd7JqqqawcCUBtEnAQLOoU05djTAwp-GFuNguTwcpUUwWkhyQ0wEuW5EeI3gdy42nylqINwRfaOJQ9qTYTFef8bpKj12vVTZCevQFU~pWAolxfmZBDokosTmVf97yzJteLY3TPP4ZaPUbkmJfkWZuqpEzKhxmDVJw~4t6A7Y6We7PAHYkNkUvXlpfqY1HExGimFiXaelhbptJNWjbrY5FMbS6sjGlpuOFzxXLbrhiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated the Wasco City Council on local groundwater management and said the Kern County Subbasin will not be placed on probation under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) after state review.

A city representative reported that the Kern County Subbasin had been at risk of probation because initial plans were deemed inadequate by the Department of Water Resources. Staff said that, through regional collaboration under the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) process, the subbasin has “substantially addressed the deficiencies” identified by the state. As a result, staff said the Department of Water Resources will return oversight and the probationary designation is not necessary.

Council members and staff praised the interagency work, and the council specifically acknowledged the contributions of city water staff and surrounding water districts. City staff warned that while probation was avoided, SGMA implementation is ongoing and may require continuing effort and coordination.

Ending: Council members called the update good news and commended staff for the collaborative effort; no action was required.","City staff reported that following a public hearing and collaborative work among local agencies, the state determined the Kern County Subbasin has substantially addressed plan deficiencies and will not be placed on probation, avoiding potential pumping restrictions for disadvantaged communities including Wasco.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wasco Recreation and Park District details park upgrades, Annan Park funding hurdle and coalition proposal

Wasco council approves routine items, grant ratification and a veto letter; several unanimous votes

Fire and police present monthly activity reports; Police Activities League enrollment grows after CDBG-funded rehab

City staff: Kern County subbasin removed from probationary stance under SGMA after collaborative work